Interpretation:

Darryl: I can guess where Jerry's going to go with this song, so let me state right off the bat that this song is NOT about a lesbian relationship. The simple synopsis: this song describes two girlfriends, one who's looking to expand her horizons by experiencing life, and one who's horizon doesn't extend much past her friend. For clarity, I'll call these two friends Starry and Homely.

"Drops of Jupiter" makes fantastic usage of metaphor and symbolism to help us feel the pain experienced by the Homely, who felt abandoned by her friend. It continually uses the image of stars to represent the unattainable. In Greek mythology stars were a symbol of immortality. A human would be made immortal by being placed in the sky by the gods. A shooting star indicated a loss of immortality. Starry has been searching in heaven (the big city?) to expand herself.

The growth of self is made evident through the images of summer, spring, and rain, all used to represent growth. During her search she had a wonderful love affair (heterosexual!). The "seed" (drops) of Jupiter was priceless in Greek mythology. Starry considered her brief fling just as priceless. Homely, of course, had a slightly different opinion.

Jerry: I'm kind of hurt that you would jump to conclusions about how I would interpret this song. Then for you to claim it had to do with a Greek God Bukkake... It sickens me... Well, then again, the "Milky Way" comment kind of fits into that description...

Anyway, I am failing to find where you got the idea that this song is about two women. (However, if it was, it would be about lesbians). I believe this song is from a man's perspective about a woman. The only place one could make the mistake is when he refers to himself as a "plain ol' Jane." I don't believe this is a gender specific phrase as "plain ol' Joe" just sounds stupid. I don't think they were in a relationship but I would say that he was her best friend, and wanted more. She, on the other hand wanted to see the world.

This is where our views do kind of meet. She decided she needed to see more of the world and left on a vacation to, lets say, LA for example as it's filled with "stars". And when she got back, she thought she was so much better than him because she had seen the world, mingled with the stars, etc. The atmosphere, a term essentially used to described the container around the Earth which would then explain that anything out side of it was outer space where the stars are. In this song it's a similar reference, but it's about reality. She went and mingled with the stars, but when she goes back to her home town and back to reality she was back in the atmosphere.

The meaning of this song is not that of explaining what she did. Notice that almost this entire song is an ongoing barrage of questions. He's essentially saying, "Yeah, I see that you've done all of these wonderful things, and I'm sure they make you feel like you are more important than everyone else here, but did any of them actually make you happy?"

Darryl: Wow! I think we're essentially in agreement on this song! I guess there really is a first time for everything. There are several details, though, that you're having trouble grasping.

Like Icarus sailing across the sun, Starry has soared to great heights and come tumbling down. Unlike Icarus, however, she seems no worse for wear. She may not have found what she expected, but what she did find was well worth the experience. She's enjoying the memories and continuing to experiment with new things. Homely, although very upset with her friend, is more jealous than anything. She realizes that she too must grow if she's to truly live life.

Jerry: Oh and we were so close this time... Here it goes... Anger building... Can't control myself....... DARRYL YOU IGNORANT SLUT!

Ok, this guy was always there for her, a best friend to the end. Probably went to dances together on a 'platonic' level (from her point of view). Spent nights on the phone talking about what was going on. This guy gave her everything he could and she turned around and pretty much crapped on him. She went and did her thing. To justify it to herself that what she is doing is the right thing she starts telling him stuff like, "There's time to change." and "There's always room to grow." as it says in two lines that she reminds him those things.

This song is meant to be a bitch-slap to this chick that was so ungrateful for all he had given her and to ask her if she thinks differently of him now after her promiscuity. In fact, this stupid whore is starting to piss me off! He points out, "Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights all faded and that heaven is overrated.", pointing out that see, it's not all you thought it would be. She's obviously a little snob now and he's just trying to point out that he's not impressed with her frivolous frolicking around the big city and wonders that, after she whored herself out, if she realizes he's the one that really loves her. Ugh... Heartless BITCH!

Darryl: Jerry? Did you forget your meds again this morning? How does listening like Spring and talking like June indicate snobbery? How many men do you know that will talk on the phone for five hours? Or touch a soy latte with a 10 foot pole? If you look at the bridge, you'll see that, although Homely is remembering their past together, she's specifically remembering moments of growth and changes. Not every song has to be a diatribe. Sure, Homely's feelings are hurt, but there's hope and a positive future just around the corner. And if that future contains a lesbian relationship, then so be it!

Jerry: Well Darryl, Spring is the beginning of the warm season when everything is in bloom and a bunch of stuff is beginning and ending. June is when summer starts and absolutely everything is going on. So essentially we could take that verse and say she listens like a constipated chihuahua with ADD and won't shut the hell up. If that doesn't describe a snob then I.... should be using a different word.

As for the five hour phone conversation, you don't listen to much Tom Leykis do you? He's constantly ripping into complete idiots that will spend $300 a night on a girl or 5 hours on the phone just for a chance to get in their pants. It's fairly common apparently. And the soy latte was hers not his. What kind of pansy do you think this guy is?! However, the soy latte alone confirms that snob was most likely the correct word to use!

As for not all songs having to be diatribes, you are absolutely correct. It's just that this one is a diatribe. Also, I would like to state for the record that you were the one that kept bringing up lesbianism, not me! I'm surprised you didn't work in that whole "And tell me, did Venus blow your mind" into your interpretation. You've done nothing but turn this song into a nasty Greek Orgy with a couple Gods and two poor girls. You are one sick puppy!

Darryl: The song is called "Drops of JUPITER," which I notice you never have explained. Jupiter's wife was Juno, from which we get the name of the month of June. Thus, we have another reference to Starry's romantic relationship. What we don't have is any reference to a defecation-challenged canine with behavioral issues. Obviously, you couldn't see a metaphor if it hit you with a two-by-four. I'll let you go back to your academic meanderings with Mr. Leykis, while I enjoy Train's thoughtful, poetic music. And please don't forget your anger management session again this week! Ta-ta for now.

Jerry - Summary: Well, it seems we have hit the stopping point, no more need to argue about defecation-challenged canines with behavioral issues or Greek God orgies. That's not good for one's health. Essentially we see the same story, only from different perspectives. I suppose that's good enough. Mine happens to be clean, Darryl's happens to be perverse, but... Wait! Mine happens to be clean?! Damn it! I did forget to take my medication!!!

Train - Drops Of Jupiter

Now that she's back in the atmosphere
With drops of Jupiter in her hair, hey, hey
She acts like summer and walks like rain
Reminds me that there's time to change, hey, hey
Since the return of her stay on the moon
She listens like spring and she talks like June, hey, hey
But tell me did you sail across the sun
Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights all faded
And that heaven is overrated
Tell me, did you fall for a shooting star
One without a permanent scar
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there
Now that she's back from that soul vacation
Tracing her way through the constellation, hey, hey
She checks out Mozart while she does tae-bo
Reminds me that there's room to grow, hey, hey
Now that she's back in the atmosphere
I'm afraid that she might think of me as plain ol' Jane
Told a story about a man who is too afraid to fly so he never did land
But tell me did the wind sweep you off your feet
Did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day
And head back to the Milky Way
And tell me, did Venus blow your mind
Was it everything you wanted to find
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there
Can you imagine no love, pride, deep-fried chicken
Your best friend always stickin' up for you even when I know you're wrong
Can you imagine no first dance, freeze dried romance five-hour phone
conversation
The best soy latte that you ever had . . . and me
But tell me did the wind sweep you off your feet
Did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day
And head back toward the Milky Way
But tell me did you sail across the sun
Did you make it to the Milky Way to see the lights all faded
And that heaven is overrated
Tell me, did you fall for a shooting star
One without a permanent scar
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself..
nanannanana
And did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day
nanananana
and did you fall from a shooting star, fall from a shooting star
nananananana
And were you lonely lookin for yourself out there...